Mikel Arteta will be part of Manchester City's coaching team for Wednesday's Carabao Cup clash with Oxford despite being in talks with Arsenal, Pep Guardiola revealed.
Arteta, who has been an assistant coach at City since Guardiola joined the club in 2016, has emerged as the strong favourite for the vacant managerial post at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta is continuing to fulfil his duties at City, though, including travelling with the side for the Carabao Cup quarter-final at the Kassam Stadium.
"I dream to play with him," he added. "When I left Barcelona I wanted to play with him at Juventus but it did not happen.
"I don't speak much with him – maybe three or four times. But my first impression is of an incredible person. I admire him. It will be a real pleasure to see him."
It is the second time in as many seasons that City will have faced League One Oxford in the Carabao Cup having beaten them 3-0 last term on their way to defending their title.
Guardiola said: "(They have) the same manager. They've changed a little bit to how they set up last season but they play quite similar in terms of attacks.
"One game away, anything can happen. We'll try to go there and win and get into the semi final."
